MNJames Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Are there any motor scooter dealers in Lakeside? Anyone on this webbord ride one? I've ridden motorcycles most of my life and have now switched to a scooter. Would like to continue that past time in the Chapala area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvanparys Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Scooters are available at Wally World but I have heard that the quality may not be what one expects... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Here are some of the offerings at Walmart... https://www.walmart.com.mx/deportes/motos/motonetas-y-scooters I don't see the really cool "retro" one they had a few years back. Remember that many of the streets are cobblestone so ride safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 There are dealers and mechanics all over the place here and in Guadalajara. I have a friend in Guadalajara that belongs to a Vespa club. Hers is purple. Walmart and stores like them sell Chinese and other cheap brands but there are dealers for Honda and the better brands. lots of Mexicans on scooters here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Jocotepec has a Honda scooter dealer with many models Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 And in Chapala in Elektra, there are many of the same kind as Walmart but seem to be cheaper... https://www.elektra.com.mx/motos/motocicletas/motoneta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Solar Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Check with S&S Auto, Spencer is a moto rider and likely has good info / contacts for scooters as well. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkWebles Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 3 hours ago, MNJames said: Are there any motor scooter dealers in Lakeside? Anyone on this webbord ride one? I've ridden motorcycles most of my life and have now switched to a scooter. Would like to continue that past time in the Chapala area. Don't be tempted to ride without proper equipment, as many here don't and they make it look like such fun. A friend has recently quit riding after his 3rd. unscheduled get-off. He found the road-rash to be annoying. To suggest that one should "Drive Defensively" here is a gross understatement. They are out to kill you. Stay away from the Chinese brands, the quality of materials leaves a bit to be desired. ...and learn where the Topes are: hitting one unexpectedly can ruin your whole day. Aside from that: ride, be free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italika Made in Mexico. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNJames Posted July 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 49 minutes ago, MarkWebles said: Don't be tempted to ride without proper equipment, as many here don't and they make it look like such fun. A friend has recently quit riding after his 3rd. unscheduled get-off. He found the road-rash to be annoying. To suggest that one should "Drive Defensively" here is a gross understatement. They are out to kill you. Stay away from the Chinese brands, the quality of materials leaves a bit to be desired. ...and learn where the Topes are: hitting one unexpectedly can ruin your whole day. Aside from that: ride, be free! I totally agree. I have riding since 1965 and have been in 2 accidents. Yes, road rash is more than annoying (4 months of changing bandages 2-3 times a day). Overall, I have been lucky and still enjoy riding.. Cobblestone streets are romantic but bad to walk or ride on. I currently ride a SYM (great Taiwanese brand) and know the Chinese brands are worthless. Thanks for your comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 52 minutes ago, Ferret said: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italika Made in Mexico. I happen to know a bit about 2 wheels and so do most of my Mexican friends the vast majority of who ride but not Italika. Italika was designed originally in China. Yes they are assembled here but still use Chinese parts. I have seen what happens to inferior Chinese shafts with splines. I don't need no stinkin' google. And to MNjames,since you are experienced you don't need to waste your time with S&S. I did get some bulbs from him once a long time ago before I knew the lay of the land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Ferret said: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italika Made in Mexico. Drives like they were made in the Soviet Union. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Okay guys. I'll leave it to those who know how these things ride because I prefer four wheels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapalence Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 You couldn't pay me to get on these roads on a bici o moto. I'm sweating the upcoming transition from the Toyota van we came down in to a Honda Fit. Far too many head-on collisions from people passing in an unsafe manner and fools who cut back in front of you after passing with centimetros to spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 38 minutes ago, chapalence said: You couldn't pay me to get on these roads on a bici o moto. I'm sweating the upcoming transition from the Toyota van we came down in to a Honda Fit. Far too many head-on collisions from people passing in an unsafe manner and fools who cut back in front of you after passing with centimetros to spare. Some of us learned defensive driving many many years ago. We that raced had to take courses. I'd rather drive or ride here than those horrific "freeways" in California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 5 hours ago, MNJames said: I totally agree... Cobblestone streets are romantic but bad to walk or ride on. Unfortunately all the streets Lakeside, save a few in Chapala, are cobblestones. Only the Caraterra is paved and it is choked w/traffic going 5mph in town and 75mph elsewhere. Locals ride scooters but it's sort of with a death wish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdawgs Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 FYI Costco sells a USA made brand, don't remember the name. It has a good rep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 That would be this one... https://www.costco.com.mx/Deportes-y-Certificados/Motociclismo-y-Scooters/Scooters/Vento-scooter-streetrod-150CC/p/532663 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNJames Posted July 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 50 minutes ago, luvsdawgs said: FYI Costco sells a USA made brand, don't remember the name. It has a good rep. Perhaps in Mexico. In the US, Ventos are ranked with the chinese, meaning not worth buying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 45 minutes ago, MNJames said: Perhaps in Mexico. In the US, Ventos are ranked with the chinese, meaning not worth buying. Same in Mexico. There are are a lot of people on this thread that know squat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slainte39 Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 28 minutes ago, happyjillin said: Same in Mexico. There are are a lot of people on this thread that know squat Aw ! come on Happy, his handle is luvsdawgs, not luvsscooters………... a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiko Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 There is a reason you see scooters everywhere in Jocotepec with smooth brick, paved, or concrete road surfaces. Ajijic and Chapala area not so much with piedra. So drop some coin and buy Japanese, either Honda CGL Tool or Honda Wave with 18" or 17" wheel set. Those small 12" wheel sets on scooters with short wheelbases do not do well on piedra. Japanese motos at this price bracket only cost about 10% more than comparable Chino brands but the Japanese models last forever. Resale values of Japanese brands are far better also. Buy Chino, Buy twice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 There is a Vespa dealer in Guadalajara on Ave Vallarta just past Vanguardia Honda (which also has scooters). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tingting Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 There are plenty of places to find scooters. I'm on my second Italika. No, it's not the high end, but I knew that when I bought them. The first one lasted nearly 4 years before I "upgraded"' and the second one is now about 4 years old, too. I ALWAYS (even before it was the law) wear a bright vest and helmet, along with an identification anklet. It probably makes me an easier target, but at least they'll find the body faster. On a more serious note, they're not bad scooters. but you have to be careful here. While a car gives you more protection, I never have to worry about traffic or finding somewhere to park. It's a trade-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquaponicsman Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Scooters are great and economical... and would have loved to have one when we had the gas shortage a few months ago. I had a Vespa when I was a kid and loved it. Now, if I were inclined to buy a scooter I would probably go with Honda, because of their quality. (I had a Honda 750F Supersport that lasted years... and when I sold it, it was running as well as when I first bought it.) I drive a Honda CRV (SUV) and love it. Just real high quality manufacturing. I have been a Harley guy for years now and have a '79 Superglide... mostly out of nostalgia, but like I said above, would have loved having a scooter, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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